Weapons destined for Abu Sayyaf group seized in Philippines

CAMP CRAME , Philippines, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Philippine police confiscated $125,000 worth of high-powered firearms destined for the Abu Sayyaf separatist group, law enforcement said.

The cache of weapons and ammunition was displayed Tuesday by National Police Chief Ronald Dela Rosa. He said the ammunition was traced to a government arsenal and the serial numbers of the weapons are being researched under the assumption they are of the same origin.

He added Abu Sayyaf members have been in the Manila area since August, purchasing the weapons, which include grenade launchers and automatic rifles.

"I have directed the director of [Criminal Investigation and Detection Group] to trace these seized arms and ammunition," he said.

The weapons were seized from four arrested suspects in San Juan City, Mindanao, on Sept. 24. The island of Mindanao includes a Muslim enclave and is the focus of Abu Sayyaf terrorist activity.